British handcyclist Karen Darke has won the women’s Prudential RideLondon HandCycle Classic.

She has pulled off the victory just a year after a career-threatening collision with a car.

Darke beat the Paralympic and world champion Sandra Graf, overtaking her around the 10-mile mark.

She finished the race in 45:52seconds- 40 seconds ahead of the Swiss competitor.

Darke said: “Two months before last year’s race I was hit by a car and I limped around the course wondering if I would ever be able to race properly again.

“It is so lovely to be back and to be able to win in this way. I feel very lucky.

“I have not been going that well in road races.

“But this is a really good course with a few wicked hills. I have got the worlds in three weeks time so it gives me great confidence for those.

“The rain today was no trouble at all. I live in Inverness, so this is nothing.”

Jennifer Browning, also from Britain, finished third.